By Christine Graf

After eight years of being located in downtown Ballston Spa, real estate attorney Kimberly Salerno has relocated Salerno Law PC to 16 Round Lake Road in Ballston Lake.

She has been practicing law for 20 years and specializes in residential and commercial real estate. Salerno also owns a title company that operates out of her law office.

It was after outgrowing her leased space in Ballston Spa that Salerno began looking for a larger office. Although she initially planned to remain in the village, finding a space with adequate parking proved impossible.

“For closings, sometimes we have 10 people coming,” she said. “I needed a parking lot.”

Salerno lives less than a mile from her new office which is conveniently located just off Northway Exit 11. Before purchasing the building—a former Stewart’s shop—she drove by it every day on her way to work. It sat empty for many years.

While driving by one day she realized the empty building could function as a law office. She purchased the property in April and embarked on a major renovation project. Prime Construction is the contractor and Jenna Burger is the interior designer.

Spoken Boutique, located at 27 Church St., Saratoga Springs,is under new ownership.

 Pam Worth created the business in 2010. With over 40 years of experience as a buyer and merchandiser, she made it her goal to provide an extraordinary customer experience for patrons of the boutique.

The new owner is Tina Powell.

“I am excited to announce that I am taking a step-back to start a new chapter in my life,” said Worth. “I have decided to transfer the continuation of my vision to someone I feel completely comfortable handing the reins over to—Tina Powell.”

Worth will work with Powell in the store as buyer, merchandiser and sales associate. She plans on spending extra time with her husband and family, with opportunities to travel.

“I feel privileged that Pam trusts me to carry on her legacy,” said Powell.  “I have been working as a full-time employee at Spoken for the past year. During that time, I have grown to love our staff, our customers, our vendors, and of course the fabulous clothing. I am excited to have Pam by my side as I continue to build relationships and grow.”

Worth’s decision to launch her business in an off-Broadway location was facilitated by the incubator program offered by the Adirondack Trust Co. The program was initiated by the bank, to place first-time business owners in their  storefront on Church Street at a fair price.

The Saratoga Builders Association presented proceeds totaling $48,000 from its annual Saratoga Showcase of Homes to the local nonprofit groups Rebuilding Together Saratoga County and Habitat for Humanity of Northern Saratoga, Warren and Washington Counties. 

The Saratoga Builders Association has been able to contribute nearly $1.5 million to local charities from the event.

The 2022 edition of the Saratoga Showcase of Homes had only five homes on the tour due to labor and material shortages in the industry, officials said. Belmonte Builders, DSG Construction & Remodeling, Kodiak Construction, Trojanski Builders and Witt Construction participated. 

This annual community event is made possible only with the generous support of over 75 corporate and media sponsors. 

This year’s awards were announced at the a presentation and celebration event held on Oct. 19.

Awards were given in the basic categories, Executive Home Awards, People’s Choice Award and Realtor’s Choice Award .

By Paul Post

Local officials welcomed Ice Castles with open arms last year, hoping it would help fulfill the long sought-after goal of making Lake George a year-round tourist destination

It did that and more, by generating enough occupancy tax to bring four brand new attractions to Charles R. Wood Park’s Festival Commons in 2023, exponentially increasing Ice Castles’ economic impact by drawing even more people to the village, according to local officials.

“When Ice Castles was open, the streets had as many people on them as we’d see normally and all the accommodations I’m aware of that were open were full on weekends,” Mayor Robert Blais said. “So many people stayed at Fort William Henry Hotel, Holiday Inn, Quality Inn and the Marriott Courtyard that our occupancy tax collection for that period was up 40 percent. That will go toward increasing the number of special events the village can support and expanding the special events we have here presently.”

Warren County Tourism expected last year’s inaugural Ice Castles to give the local economy a $4 million boost. That figure should be much larger in 2023, both directly and indirectly, thanks to more attractions throughout the year, officials said.

Saratoga Botanicals Organic Spa & Store, formerly located on Henry Street in downtown Saratoga Springs, has rebranded and moved to 130 Excelsior Ave., Suite 106, in Saratoga Springs.

The spa’s new name is Botanicals Spa.

“One of the major reasons for our move was to have a setting closer to nature as well as better parking,” said Franesa Pyle, owner of Botanicals Spa. “Our new location is set on the Spring Run Nature trail, and we have designated parking now just for our business.”

The new location is designed as a “concept spa”, a place where customers can enter the spa and feel like they’re stepping into nature, she said.

“Our new spa build is modern, but also keeps with a theme of nature-inspired décor, such as tree installations, living walls and water features,” said Pyle.

 Botanicals Spa will continue to offer the same services in its 2,600-square-foot space. That includes facials, massage, waxing, body treatments, lash and brow services, and energy healing, reiki, chakra balancing and guided meditation.

All of the products used at Botanicals Spa are plant-based and non-synthetic.